shanty
7 synonyms for shanty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small, roughly built hut or shack, often makeshift.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use shanty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sea shanty
a run-down shanty
shanty town
Etymology
The building sense probably comes from Canadian French chantier, "lumberjack's camp"; the sea-song sense has a separate, less certain origin, possibly related to French chanter, "to sing."
Full origin of shanty →Frequently asked questions
What does “shanty” mean?
The word “shanty” means a small, roughly built hut or shack, often makeshift. In plain terms, either a crude little shack, or a traditional sailors' work song — two different meanings for the same word.
How do you pronounce “shanty”?
“Shanty” is pronounced SHAN-tee (/ˈʃænti/ in IPA).
How do you use “shanty” in a sentence?
Here is “shanty” used in a sentence: “The fishermen kept their gear in a shanty by the harbour.”
What part of speech is “shanty”?
“Shanty” is a noun.
Where does the word “shanty” come from?
The word “shanty” comes from French. The building sense probably comes from Canadian French chantier, "lumberjack's camp"; the sea-song sense has a separate, less certain origin, possibly related to French chanter, "to sing.".
How many meanings does “shanty” have?
“Shanty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, roughly built hut or shack, often makeshift.
